Toilets can last a very long time but the working parts may need to be replaced many times over their lifespans. Anything that moves is bound to wear out at some point. Some stationary plumbing parts may also need to be upgraded. Here are 5 common toilet parts that will eventually need to be replaced.
1. Flush Handle
If you have ever pushed the toilet lever and nothing happens, you quickly realize that the handle is loose or the chain has slipped off. You can replace the handle and its lever arm, which attaches to the chain to lift the flapper. The flush lever handle is available in a variety of materials and finishes, such as chrome and white plastic.
2. Flapper
One important part inside a toilet tank is the flapper. When you flush the toilet, a round rubber cap is lifted by a chain attached to the lever handle, allowing water to move from the tank into the bowl. This is called the flapper. When closed, the flapper forms a tight seal that prevents water from moving into the bowl. The flapper is made of rubber and is one of the toilet parts that commonly needs to be replaced due to rubber deterioration.
3. Fill Valve
You may hear a noise coming from your toilet, commonly called a running toilet. A fill valve is set at a certain height inside the tank to regulate how high the water can go. When installed and adjusted properly, it senses when the water has reached the correct level. In older toilets, this mechanism is shaped like a ball and is called a ballcock. If your toilet is constantly running, the fill valve or ballcock is likely stuck or broken and should be replaced.
4. Water Supply
Every toilet relies on water to flush properly. This is supplied by a water line that has a shutoff valve at one end and a hand-turned nut at the toilet tank connection. If you notice that there is water on the floor behind the toilet, chances are the supply line is leaking. It could be the line itself, the shutoff valve, or the nut that attaches the line to the toilet tank. Often, this line is a flexible hose that is quite easy to replace.
5. Drain Seal
A toilet that sits on the floor generally has a gasket and wax seal around the drain on the floor. This forms a tight enclosure between the drain and the base of the toilet. You will know if the wax seal has failed if the toilet wobbles, if there is water on the floor around the base of the toilet, or if there is an unpleasant sewage odor in the bathroom. While wax was a common material used to form the seal and is still available, there are newer products made of rubber that are easier to work with and tend to last longer.
These are just a few of the parts on a toilet that need to be replaced and why it’s important to replace them as soon as the need arises.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
